LightNovesOnl.com

Plain English Part 38

Plain English - LightNovelsOnl.com

You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.

+191.+ Do not use one verb for another of similar form but different meaning. The following are the most common of these:

+Lay+ (incomplete verb, requires an object) meaning to place or to put; as, _to lay the book down_. Princ.i.p.al parts: _Present_, lay; _Past_, laid; _Past participle_, laid.

+Lie+ (complete verb, takes no object) meaning to recline, to rest; as, _to lie in bed_. Princ.i.p.al parts: _Present_, lie; _Past_, lay; _Past participle_, lain.

+Set+ (incomplete verb, requires an object) meaning to place or to put; as, _to set the table_. Princ.i.p.al parts: _Present_, set; _Past_, set; _Past participle_, set.

+Sit+ (complete verb, takes no object) meaning to rest, as, _to sit in a chair_. Princ.i.p.al parts: _Present_, sit; _Past_, sat; _Past participle_, sat.

+Raise+ (incomplete verb, requires an object) meaning to cause to rise, to lift up. Princ.i.p.al parts: _Present_, raise; _Past_, raised; _Past participle_, raised.

+Rise+ (complete verb, takes no object) meaning to get up, to ascend.

Princ.i.p.al parts: _Present_, rise; _Past_, rose; _Past participle_, risen.

+192.+ +NOTE--These three verbs need an object to complete their meaning:+

_Present_ _Past_ _Past Participle_

set set set lay laid laid raise raised raised

+193.+ +NOTE--These three verbs need no object:+

_Present_ _Past_ _Past Participle_

sit sat sat lie lay lain rise rose risen

Exercise 4

Fill in the following blanks with the correct form of the verbs _sit_, _set_, _lay_, _lie_, _raise_ and _rise_:

1. I......it on the table and there it.......

2. They......the battle s.h.i.+p, Maine.

3. Where did you......it?

4. A mile of pipe has been.......

5. The miners......a large strike fund.

6. She......down to sleep.

7. The body......in state three days.

8. The farmers of the U. S.......an enormous wheat crop.

9. The city......on the right bank.

10. We have......the corner stone.

11. When wages are......, prices are......too.

12. He......in bed all morning.

13. ......down Fido.

14. The sun......at six this morning.

15. She has been......there all day.

16. The s.h.i.+p......to during the storm.

17. They have been......new tracks.

18. The hen is......on the eggs.

19. Somebody said, "Early to bed and early to......, Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

20. He......motionless for an hour.

21. He......out the trees in rows.

22. He will......in his position.

23. The court will......in May.

24. Where did he......?

25. She......the table while he......there.

26. He......the clock for six o'clock.

27. The water has......two feet since the rain.

28. He......the book down and......on it.

29. The hen has been......a week.

30. ......it on the table.

31. He......in the shade and watched her......the plants.

COMMON ERRORS

+194.+ Remember that in the present time form the third person singular takes the s-form, but the s-form is never used _except_ with the _third person singular_. We often make the mistake of using the _s-form_ with a _plural_ subject. Notice carefully the following sentences, and correct the errors. All of the sentences are wrong.

1. The days is getting shorter.

2. The men has struck.

3. The trains was late.

4. These papers is written for you.

5. You was disappointed, wasn't you?

6. There is several coming.

7. The nights was dark and cloudy.

8. The clouds has gathered.

9. They was anxious to come.

+195.+ +When two subjects are connected by _and_, the s-form of the verb must not be used+, unless both subjects refer to one person; as:

The president and the secretary (two persons) were late.

The president and secretary (one person) was elected.

+196.+ +But when the two subjects are connected by _or_ or _nor_ then use the s-form of the verb+; as:

Neither Germany nor Russia admits a war of offense.

Either the House or the Senate rejects the bill.

+197.+ +Never use the infinitive sign _to_ by itself+; as:

I have not written and do not expect _to_.

He has not gone nor does he intend _to_.

+198.+ +Never use don't for doesn't.+ The use of _don't_ for _doesn't_ is a very common mistake. _Don't_ is a contraction of _do not_ and _doesn't_ of _does not_. When you are in doubt as to which to use, think or speak the two words in full and see if the verb agrees with the subject. _Do not_ is used with a plural subject, and _does not_ with a singular subject. For example: _He don't believe me_. This sentence in full would be, _He do not believe me_, which is incorrect. _He does not_ (_doesn't_) _believe me_ is correct. Or, _They doesn't believe me_. This sentence in full would read, _They does not believe me_, which is incorrect. _They do not_ (_don't_) _believe me_ is correct.

+199.+ +Do not use _has got_, or _have got_ for _must_.+ For example, do not say, _We have got to go_. Say, _We must go_. Not, _He has got to do what I say_; but, _He must do as I say_.

+200.+ +Do not say _had ought_.+ For example: _You had ought to know better_. Omit the _had_; it is unnecessary and incorrect. Say, _You ought to know better_.

Click Like and comment to support us!

RECENTLY UPDATED NOVELS

About Plain English Part 38 novel

You're reading Plain English by Author(s): Marian Wharton. This novel has been translated and updated at LightNovelsOnl.com and has already 940 views. And it would be great if you choose to read and follow your favorite novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest novels, a novel list updates everyday and free. LightNovelsOnl.com is a very smart website for reading novels online, friendly on mobile. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or just simply leave your comment so we'll know how to make you happy.